Contrary to the old adage that birds of a feather flock together, its actually birds of every kind who flock around my feeder when other sources of food are hard to find in the winter time. They seem to view the territory around the feeder as neutral where difference are laid aside and resources are shared.

Whether skies are heavy with the promise of snow or soft blue marbled with white clouds through which the pale winter sunlight peaks from time to time, there are always birds to be seen flitting above the feeders waiting for the chance to join the crowd and enjoy a buffet. More often than not I see sparrows partaking of the bounty. I call them my little mendicants as they remind me of the brothers of the Franciscan order whose garb is much the same color. At dawn and again at dusk the cardinals pay a brief visit and sometimes a blue jay visits.

Starlings and crows prefer table scraps. There is a great deal of activity to be observed at the feeders and if theres a bit of snow it resembles a living Christmas card.

The vast stillness of winter is broken only by the sibilant whisper of many wings.

Every morning regardless of the weather I’m out of doors tending the feeders. Once i’m satisfied there is an ample supply of food for my avian kin, I retreat to my chair by the window with a cup of hot tea and watch the intricate dance of the winged ones partaking or the bounty.